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SPRINGFIELD – Illinois residents could soon see a new tax sale process that helps prevent financial windfalls for property owners facing foreclosure, thanks to a measure State Senator Celina Villanueva advanced that would prioritize returning surplus equity to divested property owners.

“House Bill 4537 is about upholding the constitutional rights of Illinoisans and ensuring our state’s tax sales process values our residents over any potential profit, especially at a time when so many people are experiencing financial hardship and struggling to make ends meet,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “When a property worth tens of thousands of dollars is foreclosed on, property owners are stripped of their dream of homeownership and left with no reprieve, and it simply is unfair.”

Under the state’s current process, if a property owner falls behind on taxes, the county can sell the debt to a tax buyer and give the original owner a set amount of time to pay off their debt, as well as any interest or penalties acquired. If the original property owner cannot pay the debt and other associated costs in the allotted period, the buyer can petition a court to receive the full deed to the property. This means a buyer obtains the property for the cost of back taxes, regardless of the property’s market value, and the original property owner does not receive any compensation for the property’s remaining equity.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois residents may soon see a new tax sale process that helps prevent financial windfalls for property owners facing foreclosure, thanks to a measure led by State Senator Celina Villanueva that would prioritize returning surplus equity to divested property owners.

“At a time when so many Illinoisans are struggling to make ends meet – having hard conversation every day about what essentials to skip out on this month or what bills can be paid a little bit late – the last things our residents need to worry about is having their property stripped from them with no recourse,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “Some of these properties are worth tens of thousands of dollars at the time they are foreclosed on, yet, even after the debt is settled, property owners aren’t receiving a penny of the equity they spent years of their lives building. This must change.”

Under the state’s current process, if a property owner falls behind on taxes, the county can sell the debt to a tax buyer and give the original owner a set amount of time to pay off their debt, as well as any interest or penalties acquired. If the original property owner cannot pay the debt and other associated costs in the allotted period, the buyer can petition a court to receive the full deed to the property. This means a buyer obtains the property for the cost of back taxes, regardless of the property’s market value, and the original property owner does not receive any compensation for the property’s remaining equity.

SPRINGFIELD – Graduating high school students could soon see more opportunities to attend Illinois’ public colleges and universities, thanks to a measure led by State Senator Celina Villanueva that would expand in-state tuition rates to any individual who attended an Illinois high school for three years.

“If a student attended an Illinois high school for three years and has graduated, or received their GED, they deserve the same chance at obtaining a degree as every other Illinois student,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “This is about making college more affordable and ensuring we aren’t locking entire groups out of our state’s public higher education system, especially youth who cannot control if or when they relocate to a new state during high school.”

For the past several years, Illinois lawmakers have voiced concerns with college costs, specifically citing rising in-state tuition that has led to many students taking on more in education-related debt, or seeking higher education across state lines. Villanueva recognizes that the continued rising cost of living disproportionately affects low-income families and students participating in Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals – groups that often have to temporarily relocate due to unforeseen circumstances.

SPRINGFIELD – To strengthen accountability and protect students and families when charter schools face financial instability, State Senator Celina Villanueva spearheaded a measure that would revise procedures for charter school closures.

“When charter schools shut down unexpectedly, it causes significant uncertainty on the social fabric of our communities – severing the trust residents place in these schools,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “By establishing clearer financial safeguards and timelines for renewal agreements, we are ensuring our families, students and teachers aren’t stuck paying the price of fiscal instability and mismanagement.”

Senate Bill 3391 would withhold public funding for a charter holder wishing to renew a charter until an initial agreement has been fully executed, which would be required within 90 days of the approval of a renewal solution. The bill aims to establish stronger financial safeguards to ensure students, staff and public resources are protected if a charter school closes. The measure comes as several charter schools in Chicago have faced financial challenges that threatened mid-year closures, raising concerns among families and educators about the lack of clear closure planning and oversight.